It was a game of little chances but Palace had Andros Townsend to thank in the first half when he superbly cleared Bruno Martins Indi's first-half header off the line.

The winger then had the chance to bring his side level in the latter stages of the game but his free-kick from 25-yards flew pathetically wide.

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Marko Arnautovic went close in the first-half but his strike was well saved

Christian Benteke was anoynomous up front as Palace managed just the one shot on target and now their next clash against fellow strugglers Middlesbrough remains a crucial six-pointer.

FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS

Big Sam must have felt like dropping his entire team after last week’s disaster against Sunderland but restricted himself to a modest two changes.

Luka Milivovojevic was finally able to make his Palace debut after obtaining a work visa and he was joined by Andros Townsend with Yohan Cabaye and Scott Dan making way.

Palace must have hoped the Serbian midfielder would bring some much needed luck. He hasn’t lost a football match since September 29 – having put together an unbeaten run of 19 matches with former club Olympiacos.

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Sam Allardyce was desperate for his side to bounce back from their Sunderland humiliation

Stoke couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to break their Palace bogey. The Potters had lost five of their last six Premier League matches against Palace, drawing one but losing their last four to the Londoners.

Palace fans are clinging to small triumphs just now. “How sh** must you be, we beat you 4-1,” they sang to Stoke supporters.

Evidently they have the memories of elephants considering that high point in their season was way back in September, some six months ago!

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Wilfried Zaha looked Palace's most lively player but he couldn't help his side to a result

This wasn’t one for the purist as they say. Once Wayne Hennessey beat out Arnautovic’s fierce shot inside the first 10 minutes there were long periods with little goalmouth action.

James McArthur headed narrowly wide but generally this was a war of attrition with Phil Bardsley and Wilfried Zaha in particular going at it hammer and tongs.

Andros Townsend did brilliantly to hook Bruno Martins Indi’s net-bound header off the line following a Charlie Adam corner just before half-time.

That took the Welshman’s Premier tally for the season to six – his best ever total for a campaign – and two more than his previous best four goals in 2011-12.

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Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross celebrates Joe Allen's strike

Next five fixtures

Stoke

26 Feb - Spurs (A) - Prem

4 Mar - Boro (H) - Prem

11 Mar - Man City (A) - Prem

18 Mar - Chelsea (H) - Prem

1 Apr - Leicester (A) - Prem

Palace

25 Feb - Boro (H) - Prem

4 Mar - West Brom (A) - Prem

11 Mar - Spurs (H) - Prem

18 Mar - Watford (H) - Prem

1 Apr - Chelsea (A) - Prem

SOCIAL SAYS

6 - Joe Allen has netted six PL goals this season, his best-ever haul in a top-flight campaign (next highest is 4 in 2011/12). Potted.

BIG PICTURE

WHAT THEY SAID

Stoke boss Mark Hughes: "We'll be last on Match of the Day again won't we?

"It was a war of attrition at times, Palace came here and made life difficult for us. We had to be vigilant but we were always waiting for that breakthrough. We had four good opportunities before we scored.

"Joe Allen times his runs well, he has an aptitude for it and it was a great finish.

"We are not in bad shape overall, we are doing OK but now we have to navigate our way through some very difficult games."

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Mark Hughes admits his side deserved victory but conceded it will be last on Match of the Day

Palace boss Sam Allardyce: "I'm disappointed for the lads. They had many moments in the game when we were in control and none more so than when Stoke scored.

"They scored their only shot on target in the second half. It's a 1-0 defeat again and not the point that we deserve at least.

"We have to keep battling on and believing. These are an honest bunch of players. Last week was a fluke, we conceded three goals in three minutes."